1974 VFW, CHICAGO, IL
August 21, 1974

Finals scores (12 corps):

1. Cavaliers 84.05
2. Pembroke Imperials, MA 79.6
3. St. Francis, MA 72.56
4. Guardsmen, IL 72.30

Imperials were 11th, 52.40
29 corps competed in prelims

I obviously remember this one - my first year in the Cavaliers. Winning a Nationals was still exciting, even if no other DCI corps were there, especially in Chicago. Marching in Soldier's Field was great - the only time I did that. And I remember hearing during the summer that Norwood had folded, and yet there they were at Nationals, in finals - yet another time they rose from the dead!

By this time, the VFW and Legion had basically lost drum corps, and their titles weren't very important, but there was still plenty of pageantry, pomp and circumstance.

And prelims were in Hansen Park. We actually learned our prelim show on the bus going downtown, throwing in a drum solo from 1966 that we literally learned on the bus seats! Because DCI had eliminated prelim short shows, it was the only time all year we had to do that, and I think it may have been the last time.

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79